Cable Housing System with Angled Lid Sections

ABSTRACT

An embedded housing system storing cables below the surface in a protected environment, with a moveable surface lid lying flush with the existing surface and following the crown or slope across the travel path. The surface lid includes lid sections extending from the housing with at least one lid section having at least one edge extending from the housing at an angle. The cables are readily raised out of the housing structure to obstruct traffic across the travel path, or lowered into the housing system to allow unobstructed traffic passage. The housing support structure is prefabricated in sections, selectively attached to match the existing crown or slope across the travel path, and then installed below the surface. Surface lid sections remain connected while opening simultaneously across the sloping travel path, using an interlocking mechanism. Rain water is inhibited from entering the housing support structure by the surface lid, but if it seeps inside, it will drain away by gravity.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/957,642 filed on Dec. 17, 2007, and entitled CABLE HOUSING SYSTEM.The entire disclosure of the foregoing is incorporated herein byreference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention is related to barriers and traffic controldevices, and more particularly, an embedded and enclosed housing systemwhich stores cables across a travel path and allows for selectivelyraising and lowering the cables to control traffic.

2. Description of Related Art

A cable housing system provides much utility by fully enclosing andprotecting stored cables, and readily allowing the raising and loweringof the cables across a travel path for use as a barrier or trafficcontrol device, and providing an unobstructed flush surface while thecables are in the stored position. Otherwise, the traffic control orbarrier cable will lie above the surface across the travel path, exposedand accessible, or the cable must otherwise be completely removed fromthe travel path and stored elsewhere. The cable is raised and lowered ina vertical direction and is stored in the housing system extending in alongitudinal direction generally perpendicular to the travel path.Following the slope or crown across the travel path is necessary, sothat the housing system remains flush with the adjacent surfaces.

In one method of related art, cables lie on the surface and areprotected by covering them with a wider matting material which lies overtop of the cable. The cable underneath creates a bump. The mattingmaterial wears out if traveled across frequently. The matting materialmust be adjusted or re-attached after raising the cable.

In another method of related art, cables are raised and lowered intogrooves within a plastic mold embedded into the surface or pavement. Thecables fall into the grooves when lowered. The cables are not covered bya lid when lying in the plastic mold, and are accessible from thesurface and exposed. When the cables are lowered, the grooves aresometimes missed which results in the cable lying exposed above thetravel path creating a surface obstruction which impedes snow plows,lawn mowers, bicycles, and vehicles traveling across. Rainwater collectsinside the grooves since there is no lid or cover. Rainwater in thegrooves turns to ice in freezing temperatures, resulting in a slipperysurface across the travel path. Once ice forms inside the grooves, thecables will no longer lay inside when lowered.

Other related art does not provide adjustment for existing crowns orslopes across the travel path. Typically, asphalt and other surfacesacross a travel path have existing crowns or slopes. Other related artis installed straight and level across a sloping travel path surface.Extensive sections of the travel path must be excavated and graduallytapered back into the existing sloping surfaces. This creates adepression in the travel path. The extensive excavation work requiredresults in downtime of the travel path.

In other related art, the surface width of the installed housing systemexceeds 24 inches, and creates caution in persons traveling across it,resulting in them slowing down. Heavy vehicles, such as tractor trailerloads, cannot typically be supported. This restricts use of the travelpath to only light weight traffic.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention addresses the above needs and achieves other advantages.The cable housing system is comprised of a hinging surface lid, and abelow grade housing support structure. It is installed generallyperpendicular to the travel path. The housing support structure isembedded below the grade level or pavement, and the hinging surface lidlies flush with the adjacent surface while in the closed position. Thecable housing system extends in a longitudinal direction generallyperpendicular to the travel path. The cable housing system isprefabricated in sections that are selectively attached to form acustomized curved shape that follows the existing slope or crown acrossthe travel path. The surface lid is typically only 8 inches wide and isreadily opened or closed when raising or lowering the cable. Single ormultiple connected cables are housed within the covered housing supportstructure embedded below the pavement surface, leaving the travel pathunobstructed. The cables remain unexposed and protected while storedinside the housing support structure. Utility lines may also be storedinside. The surface lid may have ridges on its outside surface toenhance traction. The surface lid also functions to inhibit rain waterfrom entering inside the housing support structure. However, if waterseeps inside it will drain away by gravity since it is sloped. A heatingelement may be provided to melt ice forming inside the housing supportstructure. The housing system is durable and may be supported by aconcrete foundation to support heavy vehicles, such as tractor trailers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

Having thus described the invention in general terms, reference will nowbe made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn toscale, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a top elevation view of the cable housing system illustratingmultiple surface lid sections connected across the travel path;

FIG. 2 is a front elevation view of the cable housing system of FIG. 1,illustrating the embedded housing support structure and drainage pipe,with the surface lid in the closed position;

FIG. 3 is a front elevation view of the cable housing system of FIG. 1,illustrating the embedded housing support structure and drainage pipe,with the surface lid in the open position;

FIG. 4 is a front elevation detail of two (2) adjacent surface lidsections in the open position and the lid interlocking mechanism;

FIG. 5 is cross sectional view of one embodiment of the cable housingsystem with rectangular shaped cross section embedded in a concretefoundation;

FIG. 6 is cross sectional view of a second embodiment of the cablehousing system with a circular shaped cross section embedded in anearthen foundation;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not allembodiments of the invention are shown. Indeed, the invention may beembodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limitedto the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments areprovided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legalrequirements.

With reference to FIGS. 1-6, various embodiments of the presentinvention are illustrated. The embedded cable housing system holds oneor more cables below the surface so that traffic may pass without beingobstructed. The cable housing has a hinging surface lid that protectsthe stored cable, and the lid remains flush with the adjacent surfacewhen in the closed position. The surface lid may be locked when in thedown position. As used herein, the term traffic comprises pedestrians,vehicles, motorcycles, bicycles, or the like to list non-limitingexamples. The surface lid may have ridges on its outside surface fortraction. The term cable comprises one (1) or more steel cables, ropes,net, synthetic fiber, straps, or the like to list several non-limitingexamples. The cable is raised generally in a vertical direction toobstruct traffic. The term travel path comprises the area where trafficpasses, where the surface may be asphalt, concrete, earth gravel, or thelike to list non-limiting examples. The present invention may extendrelatively long distances perpendicular to the travel path, such asdistances of forty feet or more, to list one non-limiting example. Thecable is selected based on the type of traffic to obstruct. Ends of thecables may contain a handle, hook, or other attachment to facilitateraising, lowering, and attaching the cable to an end support.

Refer now to the surface lid 1 of FIG. 1 in the closed position anddivided into sections. The surface lid sections may be comprised ofsteel, titanium, high density plastic, or the like to list non-limitingexamples, and the thickness of the lid varies depending upon theapplication. The surface lid extends generally perpendicular across thetravel path's outside borders 4 of FIG. 1. The travel path will vary inwidth and type of surface. The surface lid is connected to the embeddedhousing support structure 5 of FIG. 2 by an attachment mechanism 2 ofFIG. 1. The attachment mechanism 2 allows the lid to open and close.Non-limiting examples of the attachment mechanism include a hinge andpin connection and sliding lid with groove connection. The attachmentmechanism may incorporate a stopping device so that the lid opens lessthan 90 degrees perpendicular to the surface of the travel path, so thatit closes automatically by gravity. The lid may be locked while in theclosed position. One non-limiting example of a locking device is anon-standard bolt 14 of FIG. 5 screwed down through the lid into theconcrete subsurface, that has a specialized head requiring a nonstandardtool to remove and install the bolt. Enclosed within the housing supportstructure is a single cable 13 of FIG. 5 or multiple cables 22 of FIG.6. The cables remain unexposed and protected while enclosed within thehousing support structure. The enclosed cable may be raised either byhand or using a lifting device such as a winch. Once raised to obstructtraffic across the travel path, ends of the cables may be fastened to anend support 3 of FIG. 2. Non-limiting examples of end support include apole, truck trailer hitch, concrete jersey barrier, steel structure, andbollard. Ends of the cables may have a handle or connection device 7 ofFIG. 2 to facilitate raising and lowering the cable, and securing it tothe end support. The end support may have a cover 6 of FIG. 2.Consecutive sections of the housing support structure 5 of FIG. 4 areprefabricated, and then selectively attached using watertight connectionto prevent subsurface infiltration of water. After prefabrication iscomplete, the support structure is installed to match the existing crownor slope across the travel path. The attached surface lid liesapproximately flush with the adjacent surfaces. The outside surface ofthe lid may have non-skid surface 18 of FIG. 5 to enhance traction.Rainwater which may seep into the embedded housing support structurewill drain away by gravity, and the flexible drainage pipe 8 of FIG. 2carries the water away from the travel path.

A surface lid interlocking mechanism 10 of FIG. 3 connects consecutivesections of the surface lid. Because the embedded housing supportstructure is sloped, the attached surface lid sections separate whenopening and a gap forms 12 of FIG. 4. The lid interlocking mechanism iscomprised of a horizontal pin 9 of FIG. 4 attached to the underside ofone lid section, and a receiving stay 11 of FIG. 4 attached to theunderside of the adjacent lid section. As the lid sections open, thehorizontal pin slides laterally through the receiving stay allowing theadjacent lid sections to separate while still remaining connected.Because of the interlocking mechanism, the divided lid sections remainconnected while opening simultaneously. All divided lid sections remainconnected while opening simultaneously across the crowned or slopingtravel path.

The embedded housing support structure may be comprised of steel, highdensity plastic, or the like to list non-limiting examples. The embeddedstructure may be protected against rusting and corrosion using paint,galvanized coating, rubber coating, tar, sacrificial anode orcombination thereof to list non-limiting examples. The embedded housingsupport structure may be rectangular in shape 15 of FIG. 5 and embeddedin concrete 17 of FIG. 5. This embodiment provides for passage of heavytraffic and loads across the travel path. Here, the adjacent surface isasphalt 18 of FIG. 5 with stone base 19 and earthen sub-base 20. Inanother embodiment, the embedded housing support structure is round inshape 16 of FIG. 6 and embedded in earth 20 of FIG. 6. A heating element21 of FIG. 5 may be attached to the inside wall of the embedded housingsupport structure to melt snow or ice.

Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention set forthherein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which theinvention pertains, having the benefit of the teachings presented in theforegoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is tobe understood that the invention is not to be limited to the specificembodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments areintended to be included within the scope of the appended claims.Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a genericand descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

1.-15. (canceled)
 16. A cable housing which stores at least one cablebelow a surface of a travel path such that traffic is unobstructed fromdirections on either side of the cable, and provides for the cable to beraised to obstruct traffic from directions on either side of the cable,the cable housing system comprising: a housing positioned below thesurface of the travel path; a plurality of surface lid sectionsconnected to said housing, wherein at least one of said surface lidsections comprises at least one edge extending at an angle from saidhousing such that, in an open position, adjacent surface lid sectionsdefine a gap between said adjacent surface lid sections.
 17. A cablehousing according to claim 16, wherein said adjacent surface lidsections are adapted to close in a substantially flush position relativeto each other.
 18. A cable housing according to claim 17, wherein thesubstantially flush position minimizes the gap between closed adjacentsurface lid sections.
 19. A cable housing according to claim 16, whereinsaid surface lid sections comprise opposite edges extending at an angleless than 90 degrees relative to an axis bisecting an angle formed bythe gap.
 20. A cable housing according to claim 16, wherein said surfacelid sections are substantially trapezoidal in shape.
 21. A cable housingaccording to claim 16, further comprising at least one attachmentmechanism connecting said surface lid sections to said housing, suchthat said attachment mechanism provides for said surface lid sections tobe selectively moved relative to said housing, and said angled edgeextends from said attachment mechanism.
 22. A cable housing according toclaim 16, wherein said housing comprises housing sections that follow aslope across the travel path.
 23. A cable housing according to claim 22,wherein said surface lid sections close across the slope of the travelpath and lie substantially flush with respect to each other and thetravel path.
 24. A cable housing according to claim 16, furthercomprising at least one surface lid interlocking mechanism extendingbetween at least two surface lid sections.
 25. A cable housing accordingto claim 24, the cable housing comprising at least two surface lidsections, each surface lid section comprising first and second anglededges extending from said housing on opposite sides of said surface lidsection, wherein said surface lid interlocking mechanism is connected tothe second angled edge of each surface lid section and extends under thefirst angled edge of an adjacent surface lid section.
 26. A cablehousing according to claim 24, wherein said surface lid interlockingmechanism is dimensioned to slidably engage said adjacent surface lidsection when said surface lid section is opened or closed.
 27. A cablehousing system which stores at least one cable below a surface of atravel path such that traffic is unobstructed, and provides for thecable to be readily raised to obstruct traffic, the cable housing systemcomprising: a housing positioned under the surface of the travel path; aplurality of surface lid sections connected to said housing, saidsurface lid sections generally lying flush with the surface of thetravel path when in a closed position, said surface lid sectionscomprising angled edges that define gaps between adjacent surface lidsections in an open position; at least one surface lid interlockingmechanism connecting said surface lid sections such that said surfacelid sections link together when selectively moved; and at least oneattachment mechanism connecting said surface lid sections to saidhousing, such that said attachment mechanism provides for said surfacelid sections to be selectively moved relative to said housing.
 28. Acable housing system according to claim 27, further comprising a cablepositioned in said housing and extending from said housing to endsupports adjacent the travel path.
 29. A cable housing system accordingto claim 27, wherein said surface lid sections close across a slope ofthe travel path and lie substantially flush with respect to each otherand the travel path.
 30. A cable housing system according to claim 27,wherein said surface lid sections comprise opposite edges extending atan angle less than 90 degrees relative to an axis bisecting an angleformed by the gap between adjacent surface lid sections.
 31. A cablehousing system according to claim 27, wherein said housing comprises atleast two surface lid sections, each surface lid section comprising afirst angled edge and a second angled edge opposite each other, whereinsaid surface lid interlocking mechanism is connected to the secondangled edge of each surface lid section and extends under the firstangled edge of an adjacent surface lid section.
 32. A cable housingsystem for creating a barrier to oncoming traffic across a travel path,the system comprising: a pair of end supports on opposite sides of thetravel path; a housing buried beneath the travel path, said housingdefining cable openings at opposite ends of said housing; surface lidsections attached to said housing by attachment mechanisms allowing saidsurface lid sections to open and close, wherein said surface lidsections comprise angled edges extending from said attachment mechanismsand defining gaps between said surface lid sections in an open position;at least one cable positioned in said housing and extending through thecable openings in said housing when said surface lid sections areclosed, wherein respective ends of said cable are connected to said endsupports.
 33. A cable housing system according to claim 32, wherein saidsurface lid sections close across the slope of the travel path and liesubstantially flush with respect to each other and the travel path. 34.A cable housing system according to claim 32, further comprising atleast one surface lid interlocking mechanism extending between at leasttwo surface lid sections.
 35. A cable housing system according to claim34, wherein said housing comprises at least two surface lid sections,each surface lid section comprising a first angled edge and a secondangled edge opposite each other, wherein said surface lid interlockingmechanism is connected to the second angled edge of each surface lidsection and extends under the first angled edge of an adjacent surfacelid section.
 36. A cable housing system according to claim 34, whereinsaid surface lid interlocking mechanism is fixed to a surface lidsection under said second angled edge.
 37. A cable housing systemaccording to claim 32, wherein said cable is raised from said endsupports above said surface lid sections in an open position.
 38. Acable housing which stores at least one cable below a surface of atravel path such that traffic is unobstructed from directions on eitherside of the cable, and provides for the cable to be raised to obstructtraffic from directions on either side of the cable, the cable housingsystem comprising: a housing positioned below the surface of the travelpath; a plurality of surface lid sections connected to said housing anddefining a gap between adjacent surface lid sections, wherein the gapincreases in width as the adjacent lid sections are raised to the openposition.
 39. A cable housing according to claim 38, wherein saidsurface lid sections are substantially trapezoidal in shape.
 40. A cablehousing according to claim 38, wherein said surface lid sections closeacross a slope of the travel path and lie substantially flush withrespect to each other and the travel path.